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Worcester Polytechnic Institute

#91 in Best Colleges in America
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • Worcester, MA
  • 668 reviews
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    A+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      A
    2. Value
      A+
    3. Diversity
      A
    4. Campus
      B
    5. Athletics
      B-
    6. Party Scene
      B+
    7. Professors
      A
    8. Location
      B
    9. Dorms
      B-
    10. Campus Food
      C+
    11. Student Life
      A
    12. Safety
      B+
    View Full Report Card
    About Worcester Polytechnic Institute...
    Athletic Division
    NCAA Division III (with football)
    Athletic Conference
    New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference
    Address
    100 Institute Road
    Worcester, MA 01609
    Website
    wpi.edu
    Compare to Other Colleges
    From Worcester Polytechnic Institute

    Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a global leader in project-based learning and one of the nation’s first engineering and technology universities. As a research university centered on engineering, science, technology, and mathematics, WPI’s distinctive curriculum offers students opportunities to work closely with faculty and convert classroom concepts to real-world impact.

    Students call WPI's project-based learning approach "life-changing" and say it prepares them for success in their careers and lives. The university’s high-caliber, rigorous curriculum lets students solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. They see how their work makes a direct and often immediate difference in local, national, and even global communities.

    WPI's graduates receive some of the highest starting salaries of their peers, attend prestigious graduate schools, and ascend to leadership roles and high-income brackets over their lives.

    Check Out Upcoming Events at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

    Worcester Polytechnic Institute Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Admissions

    Application Deadline
    January 15
    Acceptance Rate
    48%
    SAT Range
    1310-1480
    ACT Range
    27-32
    Application Fee
    $65
    SAT/ACT
    Considered but not required
    High School GPA
    Considered but not required
    Accepts Common App
    Yes

    Cost

    Net Price
    $43,027/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $19,515/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    96%

    Academics

    Professors
    A
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    13:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    No
    83%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.36 responses
    65%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.43 responses
    28%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.43 responses

    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Mechanical Engineering
      230 Graduates
    • Computer Science
      149 Graduates
    • Chemical Engineering
      103 Graduates
    • Electrical Engineering
      95 Graduates
    • Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
      86 Graduates
    • Robotics and Automation Engineering
      79 Graduates
    • Civil Engineering
      49 Graduates
    • Aerospace Engineering
      43 Graduates
    • Biology
      32 Graduates
    • Mathematics
      28 Graduates

    Interactive Media & Game Design at WPI

    In WPI’s IMGD program, one of the earliest gaming programs in the nation, faculty and students push the boundaries of new worlds of emerging media, from mobile gaming to intelligent tutoring. Students blend the artistic and technical aspects of game development and interactive media to create games and interactive environments.

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    4,301Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    134
    Undergrads Over 25
    1%
    Pell Grant
    12%
    Varsity Athletes
    14%
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 29 responses
    Report
    • Academic
      31%
    • Smart
      28%
    • Hardworking
      14%
    • Stressed
      10%
    • Male
      7%
    • Respectful
      7%
    • Diverse
      3%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    97%
    Poll
    57%
    of students say that Greek life is pretty big.63 responses
    Poll
    73%
    of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.70 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 36 responses
    Report
    • Fast paced
      58%
    • Fast-paced
      14%
    • Awesome
      8%
    • Different
      8%
    • You acquire experience on numerous projects
      8%
    • Home away from home
      3%

      After College

      Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
      $84,900/ year
      National
      $33,028
      Graduation Rate
      89%
      National
      49%
      Employed 2 Years After Graduation
      94%
      National
      83%
      95%
      of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.22 responses
      Colleges like Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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      Worcester Polytechnic Institute Reviews

      668 reviews
      All Categories
      Very rigorous curriculum, so keep up! Professors vary from understanding, to following everything to the book. A lot of self-teaching, but resources are available. There are tons of resources and opportunities at this school which makes you a desirable candidate for future employers. Take advantage of the different societies that are on campus, and the research opportunities on campus. And scholarships. Because they are there. Also, do not get caught up in the culture of comparison, focus on yourself, goals, and progress (and help others too) and you will succeed. Campus food, tuition, and housing are rising as WPI continue to expand and accepting more students while club funding is decreasing. On campus housing isn't guaranteed so live off campus when possible. College city, easy to get around on foot.
      Start Your Review of Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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      Much of information/reviews on this site can be misleading, seeing as so many HS seniors rely on sites like this to choose a college I figured I'd try to give some of them the perspective that I wish I had when I was in their shoes. I want to start off by emphasizing that if money is tight/you are planning on taking out loans to attend WPI, DO NOT GO HERE! The school is another private institution that forgot what it once was in favor of rapid growth and price hikes. After 3 years here I can't begin to understand how they justify the price they charge for the education they provide. Academics are adequate but don't be fooled by the admission packets and marketing material on their website. State schools that cost 1/4 of the price have comparable curriculum. There's nothing special about the "WPI Plan" and the "Project based" curriculum. The governance of this school is more than willing to let quality of instruction take a backseat as they work on growing their business.
      WPI will make you extremely employable. There are a lot of extremely nice people who attend. The traveling abroad programs are fantastic. Off campus housing is cheap. There are a lot of extremely hardworking smart students here.

      WPI is also filled with a lot of kids from very rural areas who have little or no desire to branch out of their own bubble. It is one of the least politically active campuses on the face of this Earth. Most of the students don’t keep up to date on current events. It is very possible to graduate WPI without knowing how to write or communicate, despite the multiple projects that require extensive writing.

      Most men at WPI are either nerdy or fratty and most women are either nerdy, or sorority. The sense of creativity is lacking, but I don’t think the general population really cares. The 7 week terms also make it extremely difficult to retain information. You will consistently be cramming regardless of whether or not you tend to procrastinate.